VMA RELEASES SURVEY TO REVIEW AWARDS

The Visual Media Association (VMA) has released a survey to members and non-members to determine the best approach for the print industry’s State PICAs and National Print Awards.

The survey will be used to determine the best way for the Printing Industry Craftsmanship Awards (PICA) and the National Print Awards (NPA) to continue in 2025. The online survey takes less than five minutes to complete, click here to find it.

Kellie Northwood, CEO, of VMA, said, “As we as an industry have evolved, so too should the Awards, and who better to guide the VMA on how best to achieve that evolution than its members and industry stakeholders? The VMA Board believes in recognising excellence and our members are keen to return the Awards under the Association banner in a more modern and effective programme, to that end I urge all members and stakeholders to please submit a response to the survey and provide feedback.

“It is an important programme we want to get right, and we need the member’s voices to ensure we do.”

The Australian Printing Awards has been recognising excellence at both a state (PICAs) and national (NPAs) level for the past 40 years, celebrating the achievements of industry leaders, teams across the work they deliver, the future generation and emerging leaders, and the women across the industry.

As more and more is demanded of the Association, from skills and training to industry promotion and advocacy, packaging and labels covenants, and legislative protections for carbon emissions, ensuring the financial management of all projects is always under review.

The Awards have been a costly enterprise for the Association in previous years, and one which at times has challenged its longevity. This survey is assessing all areas of the Awards, including ways the association can continue to recognise excellence, whilst maintaining prudent financial oversight.

The survey is looking to understand what members and award entrants see as the fundamental characteristics of the industry Awards, and how the VMA, as the peak body overseeing the awarding of excellence for the industry, can ensure the industry is recognised for all the deserved works that have been achieved, for many years to come.

Northwood said, “The insights provided through this survey will point us in the right direction, guiding the Visual Media Association in its mission to evolve and refine the industry Awards, ensuring they remain relevant, inclusive, and reflective of the remarkable achievements within our industry. I see this as a great opportunity for all.”

The survey will take approximately five minutes, and can be found here.